Adele Laurie Blue Adkins, MBE) (born 5 May 1988) is a British singer and songwriter. Graduating from the BRIT School for Performing Arts and Technology in 2006, Adele was given a recording contract by XL Recordings after a friend posted ...

Artist Links

Similar Artists

Biography

Adele Laurie Blue Adkins, MBE) (born 5 May 1988) is a British singer and songwriter. Graduating from the BRIT School for Performing Arts and Technology in 2006, Adele was given a recording contract by XL Recordings after a friend posted her demo on Myspace the same year. In 2007, she received the Brit Awards "Critics' Choice" award and won the BBC Sound of 2008. Her debut album, 19, was released in 2008 to commercial and critical success. It is certified four times platinum in the UK, and double platinum in the U.S. An appearance she made on Saturday Night Live in late 2008 boosted her career in the U.S. At the 51st Annual Grammy Awards, Adele received the awards for Best New Artist and Best Female Pop Vocal Performance.

Adele released her second studio album, 21, in early 2011. The album was well received critically and surpassed the success of her debut, earning the singer numerous awards in 2012, including a record-tying six Grammy Awards including Album of the Year; two Brit Awards; and three American Music Awards. The album has been certified 16 times platinum in the UK, and in the U.S. it has held the top position longer than any album since 1985, and is certified Diamond. The album has sold 30 million copies worldwide. She has sold an estimated 40 million albums and 50 million singles worldwide.